Jarred is an amazing North High School senior, and I thoroughly enjoyed our senior session. He really showed off his wide range of taste and style. He is this week’s featured senior!

We started out moving around the city in Chippewa Valley, capturing some grunge and fun. We even turned up the beats a bit to get the full effect, and Jarred nailed his pictures in that more urban atmosphere.

Then we switched gears and headed to the great outdoors, where Jarred proved that he’s not afraid to have a little fun. Some of my favorite images were from when we played in the water. He got all the way down in the water and looked like he was ready to take on the world.

Of course, it’s no surprise that Jarred was right at home in the outdoors, because he has done some amazing things in the Boy Scout program. In December, Jarred became an Eagle Scout, so we obviously had to get some pictures of him in his scout uniform both outside and back at the studio. His whole family loves the Scouts, and it’s obvious they couldn’t be prouder. It really is an accomplishment to be proud of and those lessons will carry on to many other areas in his life.

When Jarred isn’t scouting, he loves to camp and cheer on the Green Bay Packers. So we had plenty to talk about all day!

Jarred, thanks again for asking me to do your senior portraits, and thanks for being so willing to get out there to get some action shots!

If you are a Midwest senior, I’m excited to capture your youth, greatness, and individuality with a truly amazing senior photo session experience.We’ll have lots of fun and get some amazing photos that you and your family can cherish for a lifetime. Make sure to contact me for more information about setting up a senior portrait session that reflects your unique personality and style.

When I met up with Dillon for his senior portrait session in Chippewa Valley, we put on some serious miles—both by foot and by car—to find some off-the-beaten-path locations. I love it when I get seniors who are willing to have a little adventure, because it always make the session more fun and more personal.

Chippewa Valley Senior Portraits

Dillon was pretty shy and quiet, but I was able to learn more about him as the session went on. He’s a big fan of camping and traveling—which was probably why he was willing to trek around with me to find those hidden gems for locations. And he absolutely loves his car, so we were sure to get pictures of him with it, too.

It was also obvious that Dillon’s family means the world to him and that they love and support him in return. They came to the session to help out and ended up laughing and smiling with him. It’s so nice to have family like this at my sessions, because who else can get you to open up like the people who know you and love you best?

And what family is complete without a trusty family pet? Dillon’s dog was a great addition to this session, and you could definitely see the friendship that those two have together.

Dillon, thank you for letting me capture these moments for you. I loved getting to meet you and your family.

And remember, juniors and seniors, if you’re interested in booking your own senior portrait session, I would love to hear from you.Make sure to contact me in order to book your own session. Make sure you get senior portraits that are a reflection of who you are! I can’t wait to hear from you.

Family Photo Session

Want to know how to make your next family photo session a stress free one?

Family photos are truly timeless and such a great keepsake for future generations. Getting the family together to take those perfect portraits can turn into chaos if not approached correctly. There is usually a lot more to consider when it comes to a family photo session since there are members of all ages, which means that there is some extra coordination involved.

Below are some family photo session ideas and tips to keep you and your loved ones calm and smiling the whole way through.

Timing is everything. If you have younger children involved in the session, try and arrange the photo session at a time when they would be well rested. A rested child makes for happy photos. On that note, make sure that all family members have gotten enough sleep the night before as this helps with the fun and relaxation aspects of the session.

Dos and don’ts of bribery. Get your family excited about the photo session instead of offering a reward in return for their cooperation. This tends to lead to forced smiles and an irritated bunch of people. If you do have small children coming along it’s not a bad idea to give the photographer some bribery options in the form of toys or small food items to make those difficult moments a little easier

Relinquish control. As much as you’ll want to direct your children on where to stand and how to pose, it’s best to leave that to the photographer as they know what works best. Not having this pressure will also make you feel more relaxed.

It’s not just about the posing. The best photos happen when you’re having fun so joke and play with your children, hold your significant other’s hand, give he or she a kiss on the cheek or embrace your loved one with a hug and just let the moments happen.

Plan ahead. Discuss all of your requirements with your photographer beforehand so that the family photo session can just flow. Let your photographer know if you want specific pictures taken so this is already planned for to make your experience flawless and relaxing.

Keep those sugar levels up. If everyone is well fed, the photo session will also run a lot smoother. It’s also not a bad idea to take a few snacks and some water along for those who might need it.

Enjoy capturing your memories to display those moments, in the walls of your home, and the walls of your heart!

Emily and Joe were married on January 5 with a ceremony and reception at the Enchanted Barn in Hillsdale, Wisconsin.

A Winter Wedding at the Enchanted Barn

Arriving the morning of the wedding, my second shooter, Jeff and I arrived at the Enchanted Barn to find the ladies getting their hair and makeup finished by Jade from Touch of Class Salon in Cornell, Wisconsin. Emily started out the day a little nervous, but when her nerves were calmed, it was a pretty good morning! Some mimosas were mixed, and the wedding party enjoyed some pre-wedding snacks.The guys were already dressed when we arrived. They got ready at the Grand Shanty, right on the property, making it easy for the gentlemen to get dressed.Read more

I always enjoy it when my senior session are willing to put themselves out there and get adventurous with their senior pictures, and that was certainly the case with Adam, a high school senior at nearby Stanley Boyd High School.

Adam was more than willing to explore some new locations with me in the Chippewa Falls area, which meant that we were able to get a good variety of looks for his pictures. We got some great shots in a back alley and with the urban feeling of the city while also catching a few more natural backgrounds.

But my favorite part was when we headed back to the studio to get some extreme sports shots. Adam plays football for Stanley Boyd, so you can usually find him weight training in the gym to prep for big wins, and it was important that we captured this aspect of his life. It was awesome to see how easily he transitioned from student to athlete in pictures.

Adam pulled off some great action poses and put on his game face—literally—with some face paint. Complete with a helmet and football, Adam looked the part of an extreme sportsman. We were able to create a collage of all the epic images that I think looks like something right out of a sports movie poster. I think it fits right in with the photo collages they do for the Super Bowl! Maybe in a few years, we’ll see Adam out there. Playing for the Packers, of course.

Adam, thanks for an awesome senior photoshoot! I hope you had as much fun as I did.

I had a chance to meet up with Tressie and Ann to photograph their engagement session in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I had a great time with these two amazing women as we went out enjoyed their love for one another. Very excited for these two as they are soon to be brides!! Mrs & Mrs!!

Eau Claire Engagement Photography

These two have the most amazing personalities and it’s easy to see how much they love one another. We had a great time traveling in and around Eau Claire taking pictures at some pretty amazing locations. Eau Claire has so many different personalities as a city, and I love how we were able to take pictures in such different areas. Some of their portraits were in a picturesque, park-like setting and others are much more urban and contemporary. It gave Tressie and Ann a chance to have a few outfit changes as well. I especially love the “You are My Sunshine” picture they used, considering how brightly the sun shone down on us for their engagement session. And did I say their personalities are amazing?! Because it’s true!

Tressie and Ann have such a natural way they connect and their smiles just lit up every picture. When two people are so visibly in love, it makes my work as a photographer easy. It was great just letting these ladies be themselves together with no worries to the world. There was so much laughter in this session! I can’t wait to be the wedding photographer for their upcoming wedding this June in such a special place. I am very excited to be working with these two ladies and look forward to capturing their one of kind love!

Chelsie and Heather were married in a beautiful wedding this past August with a ceremony at a private location and reception at the Stout Ale House in Menomonie Wisconsin. I was so looking forward to capturing their wedding since I’d had the pleasure of documenting their engagement session earlier this year at Cottage Winery in Menomonie. These two brides were so much in love, and that love was carried through their entire day.

The brides both got ready at Chelsie’s parents’ house. Once they were both ready, we staged an emotional first look with these two beautiful ladies. Seeing them when they saw each other for the first time was absolutely beautiful. The joy when they saw each other in their stunning wedding gowns was truly palpable. Both brides’ faces were lit up with the light of their smiles. Their love is so easy to document. The way they connect was so easy and effortless.

Chelsie and Heather chose to get married at a private location filled with friends and family. It was simply gorgeous, a perfect balancing of rustic glamor. There was a pond, lush greenery and florals and stunning decoration.I love how they used a pair of doors as the entrance to the aisle and instead of chairs, they used covered bales of hay for the guests. What a genius way to add interest to an outdoor ceremony. It was elegant, beautiful and private for the brides to say their “I Do’s.”

From there, the whole bridal party hopped into the back of a tractor to head over to the nearby pub. I love how the ladies with their bouquets were just loaded into the back. It clearly illustrates how much fun this whole bridal party was. Chelsie and Heather love to hang out at this nearby pub with friends and family. What better place to enjoy their first married drinks?

We then moved over to the reception at the Stout Ale House where the brides and their bridal party were greeted with hundreds of friends and family. The brides’ fathers gave the most heartfelt, sentimental speeches about their little girls. Everyone’s eyes misted up! As these two families joined to be one, it was so clear that the love and support that Heather and Chelsie is something very special. Two families became one in this wedding and it was such an amazing thing to capture.

The sun set and a rock star reception kicked off. Dave DeVille Entertainment had the dance floor packed all night long with music ranging from polka dancing to today’s hits. Even the little ones were out there dancing the night away.It was such a wonderful celebration of joy for these brides.

Chelsie and Heather, thank you for allowing Alberto and I be a part of your special day. It was such a pleasure to document your love and happiness as your wedding photographers.

When was your last professional headshot for your LinkedIn profile? Do you even remember?

If you find yourself looking at your headshot and see an old haircut, an out-of-date style, or an image that reflects a different location, it’s probably time to schedule a professional shoot.

With that said, here are 5 reasons to get a new headshot.

You Need to Show Off Your Personality

You’re not the same person you were ten years ago, or even ten months ago. Your interests and personality are constantly evolving, and therefore, so is your brand. You want to show off those smile lines that tell the world how happy you are. You want to show off your bright smile or your sharp, professional couture.

You’re a professional, and your headshot should reflect that. Even if you’re looking for a more relaxed style, you don’t want something as simple as a selfie. Professional photographers are trained to capture the real you without sacrificing quality—so let us do that.Read more

http://samplawskiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/professional-headshot-blog-andrew-samplawski-photography_0011.jpg13702048Rachel Conleyhttp://samplawskiphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Logo-left-side-300x65.pngRachel Conley2018-01-18 18:00:282018-02-21 00:03:16The Benefits of Getting a New Professional Headshot

I had an awesome time hanging out with Bo during his senior session. It’s always amazing to meet up with seniors on the cusp of a whole new chapter in their lives, and Bo was no exception.

We tried to incorporate plenty of Bo’s personality and interests into the session itself, like his truck and the family collector car. He looked so relaxed and happy leaning on that car.

Bo is also really big into baseball, so we created an Extreme Sports piece for Bo with his baseball gear. We made sure to get pictures with his mitt as well as with his bat and even got a great shot of the back of his jersey. With the face paint completing the image of his game face, he looked like he was ready for the Major Leagues.

Because we did the session out at Monson Bridge, we were able to take advantage of the gorgeous location for a variety of different shots. The perfect weather meant we could make use of the water and the grass for some classic pictures, not to mention the rustic buildings for a look that suited Bo’s personality.

Bo, thank you for hanging out with me for your senior pictures. I loved getting to know you, and I hope that your last year at Owen-Withee High School is everything you want it to be.

Mikey and Kate were married on August 26th, with a ceremony and reception at the Metropolis Skybox.

My second shooter, Jeff, and I started out the morning documenting the getting ready process. The bride and bridesmaids were at the Metropolis in the Dulce Bridal Suite, and while we were photographing them, they busted out a full-fledged pillow fight. Then, just to keep things interesting, we had to duck outside in between the rain showers to get pictures of Mikey and his groomsmen too.

After a beautiful ceremony, we moved around Eau Claire for wedding portraits. Despite the rain, Mikey and Kate were real troopers—funny and goofy the whole time—as we went around Phoenix Park and other locations. The wedding party, too, was hilarious as they photobombed pictures and enjoyed cocktails.

We headed back to Metropolis for the grand entrance and then some cake cutting—which was unlike any I’d ever seen. The cutlery wasn’t out for the cake cutting, so Kate and Mikey improvised by using their hands. It was hilarious—and delicious! Baking Memories in Menomonie really did a good job with their desserts!

I also have to praise All Occasions DJ Service for providing quality entertainment. The dance floor was constantly packed, and DJ Paul made sure to keep everyone entertained. In particular, the DJ’s scavenger hunt was hilarious. Everyone was sooo competitive, but they all managed to have a great time.

Of course, for as much fun as everyone had, there were also some truly touching moments. Kate and Mikey’s son, Brayden, played the piano with his grandma for a special song to his parents, and Kate’s brother put in a $100 bill to see the two of them dance together as he watched from the edge of the dance floor. Seeing him dance with her from his mobile wheelchair was absolutely amazing. No matter what, no limitations should stop you from what you want to do in life.

Kate & Mikey, thank you for having us be part of your special day. And thank you to the staff at the Metropolis and All Occasions DJ for an amazing day.